PRESEASON FOOTBALL POSTCARD: LIBERTY

Liberty hasn't qualified for the District 11 football playoffs since 2009. Will it end its drought this year?

3 TIDBITS ON THE HURRICANES

1. Cleaner play is a priority. Penalties plagued Liberty last season. The Hurricanes seemed to have 12 men on the field at least once a game. If they weren't drawing penalties for it, they were burning timeouts to avoid a flag.

"A lot of it, I think it was just our first year going through," coach John Truby said. "As a coaching staff, there are things we have to tighten up better.

"But obviously, some of our penalties [hurt]. I think we got called for holding more than any other team in the league last year. It's just teaching the kids how to properly execute and making sure they're doing things the right way all the time."

2. They have scaled back their offense. As part of emphasizing execution on every play, Liberty has reduced its playbook.

Last year the Hurricanes featured a 60-to-70-play mix on offense. Truby said that number has been sliced to the low 30s this season.

"We've said, 'These are going to be the 32 things that we're going to be good at,' " Truby said. "We're just working on that set."

Having a third-year varsity quarterback in junior Doug Erney should help the Hurricanes improve their offensive efficiency. None of the former Lehigh Valley Conference football programs has a quarterback with more game experience.

Liberty also has a good group of returning receivers led by seniors Izaiah Avent, Josiah Wright and Darius Jones. All three finished last season with 24-28 catches.

3. They like their leadership core. At times last season, Liberty appeared to battle chemistry problems. The Hurricanes possessed plenty of talent but often didn't put all the pieces together.

Liberty hasn't had to handle any on-field adversity yet this season. The Hurricanes believe they are better prepared for whatever comes their way this season because of their senior leaders, including offensive lineman Louie Csaszar and Avent.

"The kids returning, they want to play," Csaszar said. "They're just so much hungrier than we were last year."

Added Truby: "I really, truly believe that these guys enjoy being around each other, and they enjoy being part of a group. They did so much own their own [in the offseason] without us even asking."

•Coach: John Truby

•2013 record: 5-5 overall, 4-5 LVC

•Who's new: Former Northampton coach Jeff Brosky has joined the staff. He is Liberty's special-teams coordinator and linebackers coach.

Steve's first thoughts

With eight returning offensive starters and six more starters back on defense, Liberty is loaded with experience. Truby is also more comfortable as a second-year coach.

The pieces are in place for Liberty to push for its first District 11 playoff birth since former coach Tim Moncman left after the 2009 season. The Hurricanes need their on-field discipline to match their talent to end their postseason drought.